I've been reading a devotional book, "Jesus Calling" nearly every morning since last winter, and I look forward to seeing how God speaks to me thru the words of the author. This little book has been a blessing and encouragement to me this year. It's on my Kindle, so I can sit in the dark and read and pray before I start the day. A few days ago I read the entry for September 20 (some days I read 2, so I'm a little ahead!)
It said,
"When little things don't go as you had hoped, look to Me lightheartedly and say, "Oh, well."... Most of the things that worry you are not important. If you shrug them off immediately and return your focus to Me, you will walk through your days with lighter steps and a joyful heart. When serious problems come your way, you will have more reserves for dealing with them. You will not have squandered your energy on petty problems."
This was the day that Sam and I both got sick -- coughing and sneezing and aching. And my computer broke. And Andrew went to the dentist and found out that he needed a $175 filling. And Sara had an upsetting day at work. And I kept hearing those 2 words -- "Oh, well!"
I remembered Jessica, a newly-wed with terminal cancer. And Shirley, whose husband died this week. And the shooting victims in Colorado. And I was grateful for the words that I read that morning. I was glad I had not wasted time and energy complaining about my little problems -- much. And when the big problems come -- and of course they will sometime -- I hope I will be able to deal with them with the strength I have saved. My mom always said, "Don't worry until you KNOW there is something to worry about." She was such a great example to me, taking each day as a blessing, even while dealing with chemo and radiation. So, I hope you will hear me say, "Oh, well" to the daily annoyances and save my worries and complaints for REAL problems!
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
